Pulling engine codes?
 

Couldn't find any threads mentioning this (but plenty of documentation on the codes themselves).

But can you pull the DTCs without using an ODB scanner?

(previous vehicles of mine could do this with a bit of key-turning magic).

Or should I suck it up and just buy a scanner already...? (and if this option, which ones do you recommend?)

Nope.

But a reader/resetter is the best $60 you'll spend for your '8.

Just make sure the one you buy can read the CANBUS protocol the Renasas uses.
http://www.vista24.biz/ebay/tpschb/v2cf2414b.jpg

well, I know what I'm doing in the morning (after I fix the A/F sensor in my WRX.... I swear both my cars hate me right now).

Parts store wanted WAY too much for code readers (pretty much double what I can get online), so I ordered a ScanGaugeII. I figure for the money, I might as well get a tool that can do more than just pull codes.